Constable Chris McAnally is happy to join the Cromwell
police station team after commuting to Gore for the past 18
months. Photo by Rosie Manins.
Cromwell residents can expect to become familiar with the
town's latest police officer, who is enthusiastic about the
personal approach to small-community policing.
Constable Chris McAnally (36) started working as a frontline
officer in Cromwell this week, following 18 months stationed
in Gore.
He said the benefit of working within a small town was being
able to get to know people properly.
"It [Cromwell] is small enough that you can stop and speak to
people, and get a feel for the community. You lose that in
big cities," he said.
Originally from Dunedin, Const McAnally said working in a
small town brought a greater sense of making a difference as
a police officer, and he hoped to focus on youth issues in
particular.
"There are some problems in Cromwell around youth and
drinking. You especially want to keep a place safe if it is
where your own kids are growing up," he said.
Const McAnally and his wife Rachel have two sons - Jordan
(11) and Leighton (10).
Both attend Alexandra Primary School, but will likely enrol
in a Cromwell school soon.
The family lived in Alexandra for four years before moving to
Cromwell last week.
Const McAnally trained as an officer for five months from
March 2008, before graduating and being posted to Gore.
He remained an Alexandra resident, commuting to the Southland
town.
Before joining the force, Const McAnally worked as a printer
for 14 years and was a support worker for people with
disabilities at Living Options.
He wanted a change of career and thought the police would
offer variety.
"I love the job," he said.
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